Excusing the Elderly

I used to excuse the elderly their prejudice as the last of a dying breed, hardened by years when any critical thinking (however un-applied) had peaked and been solidified by its decline and perpetuated by either habit or a sense of comfort in a changing world. Yet today after reading the news of the 88 year old white supremacist (i would say ethnic supremacist) who opened fire and killed a security guard at the DC holocaust memorial, I realize prejudice is serious and inexcusable at any age. While the battles to open a mind may be more hard won, they are necessary and cannot be ignored. I am shocked by what people do with guns and the power with which they give over to the weapon. It is a weak human that crutches the gun, and a sick one who shoots it, but I lived in my own delusion that with age came a reinstatement of innocence, (or at least a harmless arrogance that passed for it). My deepest sympathies for the guard and his family. I am forever grateful to his commitment to freedom, expressed in his committed defense. It is strange that holocaust deniers who like to claim horrific acts against the minority never occurred make their claim with a horrific act against the same minority. But then if reason were ever applied to violence there would be none. So we as a people still have much more to teach.